Newcastle Afoot Meeting Place Mural
This mural by artist Inari tells stories of Newcastle and Muloobinba ‘Place of sea ferns’ / Newcastle Foreshore. Start at the bottom and go in a clockwise direction.
Muloobinba
Muloobinba ‘place of sea fern’ is the Awabakal name for what is now Newcastle Harbour Foreshore
Fish Eggs
Blue bubbles represent fish eggs in the local abundant waterways.
Strinybark Canoes
Stringybark canoes have been traditionally made and used by Awabakal and Worimi people of the region.
Aquatic Life
The Newcastle area was abundant with seafood including shellfish. Seashell deposits from First Nations communities can be found throughout the area. One of the toughest jobs to be allocated as a local convict was burning shell deposits to make lime. This was used in mortar between bricks in building-works to establish the new colony here and in Sydney.
Whibaganba | Nobbys
Whibayganba / Nobbys Head used to be an island, separate from the foreshore. This is a significant landmark not only for the First Nation communities, but has continued to play an important role in the settlement and ongoing development of our city.
Convicts
Newcastle was established as a closed penal colony in 1804. It was a site of secondary punishment for those who offended in Sydneytown.
Convict Bricks
This was a very tough town to live in, famous for hardship and harsh punishment. Industry has long been a major employer in our region. Convicts chopped red cedar, mined coal, and made building materials such as brick.
Irish Clover
The first convicts brought to the area were Irish rebels from the failed rebellion at Vinegar Hill in the Sydneytown settlement.
Shipping and Boating
Shipping and boating has been central to the local economy before and after the colony was established here, from fishing to coal exporting.
Nikin / Coal
Nikin / coal can be found throughout the area. It was used by local First Nations people, and mined by convicts during the first settlement. This harbour is now the biggest exporter of nikin / coal in the world.
A Regional Hub
From the turn of the 20th century Newcastle was the main regional hub for greater northern New South Wales. People travelled from country NSW to do their shopping, network, and access many important services. With the city’s success came a of new buildings.
BHP Steelworks
In the 20th century the biggest employer was BHP steelworks. Buildings and railway lines across Australia and even the Sydney Harbour Bridge were built using BHP steel.
Post War Migration
Post World War 2, migrants came from all over the world. Many were housed in immigration camps, and went on to become important contributors to the community.
Innovation and Technology
In the 21st century Newcastle is emerging as an innovative and creative hub. Pictured is the University of Newcastle’s NuSpace campus.
Sustainable thinking
Sustainable technologies and creative industries are combining to add vibrancy, breathing new life into our city into the future
Newcastle Footpaths
Newcastle is best explored on foot. This mural is the meeting place for Newcastle Afoot walking tours and school excursions.
Newcastle Afoot Education Program
The Newcastle Afoot ‘Homebase’ mural and Newcastle Afoot Education Program are proudly supported by our major sponsors, the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation who own and manage The Station.